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The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting
A journalist delves into the history, science, and practice of fasting, an ancient cure enjoying a dynamic resurgence.
When should we eat, and when shouldn’t we? The answers to these simple questions are not what you might expect. As Steve Hendricks shows in The Oldest Cure in the World , stop eating long enough and you’ll set in motion cellular repairs that can slow aging and prevent and reverse diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Fasting has improved the lives of people with epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis, and has even protected patients from the worst of chemotherapy’s side effects.
But for such an elegant and effective treatment, fasting has had a surprisingly long and fraught history. From the earliest days of humanity and the Greek fathers of medicine through Christianity’s “fasting saints” and a 19th-century doctor whose stupendous 40-day fast on a New York City stage inaugurated the modern era of therapeutic fasting, Hendricks takes readers on a rich and comprehensive tour.
Threaded throughout are Hendricks’s own adventures in fasting, including a stay at a luxurious fasting clinic in Germany and in a more spartan one closer to home in Northern California. This is a playful, insightful, and persuasive exploration of our bodies and when we should—and should not—feed them.
When should we eat, and when shouldn’t we? The answers to these simple questions are not what you might expect. As Steve Hendricks shows in The Oldest Cure in the World , stop eating long enough and you’ll set in motion cellular repairs that can slow aging and prevent and reverse diseases like diabetes and hypertension. Fasting has improved the lives of people with epilepsy, asthma, and arthritis, and has even protected patients from the worst of chemotherapy’s side effects.
But for such an elegant and effective treatment, fasting has had a surprisingly long and fraught history. From the earliest days of humanity and the Greek fathers of medicine through Christianity’s “fasting saints” and a 19th-century doctor whose stupendous 40-day fast on a New York City stage inaugurated the modern era of therapeutic fasting, Hendricks takes readers on a rich and comprehensive tour.
Threaded throughout are Hendricks’s own adventures in fasting, including a stay at a luxurious fasting clinic in Germany and in a more spartan one closer to home in Northern California. This is a playful, insightful, and persuasive exploration of our bodies and when we should—and should not—feed them.
448 pages, Hardcover
Published September 6, 2022
164 people are currently reading
2845 people want to read
About the author
Steve Hendricks
7 books22 followersSteve Hendricks is a freelance reporter. He is the author of A Kidnapping in Milan and The Unquiet Grave: The FBI and the Struggle for the Soul of Indian Country, which was named to several best-of-the-year lists in 2006. He lives in Tennessee and Montana.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
September 19, 2022
3.5 just because it’s overlong. The second half is much better than the first, which is a somewhat confusing non-linear history of fasting and its various proponents. The rest of the book details the author’s own experiences and more of the science behind various types of fasting and how and why they work, including what illnesses have been helped, was so enlightening.
It was a bit of information overload though, because although I’ve been on board with fasting for years, I felt confused about what’s the best method and which little things or adjustments might actually be more harmful than helpful when it comes to things like interfering with circadian rhythms and blood sugar and the like.
But it’s inspiring and hopeful and I hope more people will give fasting a try - there is such a wealth of evidence - scientific and anecdotal - about what it can do, and it’s far beyond weight loss or management.
It was a bit of information overload though, because although I’ve been on board with fasting for years, I felt confused about what’s the best method and which little things or adjustments might actually be more harmful than helpful when it comes to things like interfering with circadian rhythms and blood sugar and the like.
But it’s inspiring and hopeful and I hope more people will give fasting a try - there is such a wealth of evidence - scientific and anecdotal - about what it can do, and it’s far beyond weight loss or management.
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May 9, 2023I like the book for 3 reasons.
1. Fasting is a very interesting topic.
2. The authorial voice. It comes through. It's funny and judgmental and critical, which I like.
3. The level of thinking in the book is pretty deep for a journalist. A lot of the criticisms Hendricks makes are savvy and don't come from standard texts on the subjects in question, they're of the author's own insight. Which makes the text more valuable than your average journalistic round-up-the-recent-literature tedium that gets released week to week.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering prolonged fasting for health even though it's a little overlong, because the author is good at pointing up the nuances in fasting that are important to understand and is realistic about the current state of research and the difficulties to fasting as a prescription in the realm of conventional medicine. These are important to understand, and you can easily get yourself mixed up and turned around on YouTube trying to get your advice from an ersatz collection buff bros, New Agers, fasters-for-Christ, and some actual MDs.
(In a nutshell, I like the author because he mostly comes to the same conclusions that I do for having read the actual studies on these questions in academic journals. A lot of studies that find no effect apart from caloric restriction during fasting are in fact "fasting" patients on up to 600 calories of food a day. The word "fast" gets thrown around a lot and all of the strategies get lumped together in the vernacular--water fast, dry fast, juice fast, fruit fast, modified fast, fasting-mimicking-diet, intermittent fast, prolonged fast. The general shape of the research is that it's safe for healthy people to fast on water only without supplementation for a week at least, as long as refeeding is done carefully. Given this, it's hard to understand why anyone would choose a modified fast of any kind, which apparently mitigates some of the benefits, as opposed to a water-only one. Furthermore, there's an online trend of doing "rolling" fasts, such as "rolling 36s" or "rolling 72s" where you fast for a little while, refeed briefly, then begin again. Almost all of the muscle loss in fasting occurs during the 2nd day of the fast--why would you spend so much of your devoted fasting time in the 2nd day? Far better to do one 10-day fast than 5 2-day fasts.)
I also appreciated the digressions into circadian rhythms and eating, an aspect that I haven't much toyed with but want to try now. Apparently response to food intake is best when it's earlier in the day, and eating at night seems to be problematic for blood sugar levels. I'd love to go big on breakfast myself and stress less over dinner, but I've never tried it for any significant length of time before.
And hey, if you're a person who's skeptical of fasting and that there are any good medical applications for it, here's what I say: try a 3-day water-only fast. It's not going to kill you unless you're already on death's door. You'll be able to experience how profoundly your body changes between glucose metabolism and ketone metabolism. It's more obvious than the change after taking any medication I've ever been on. Do you still think that such a significant transition in the body can have no possible clinical relevance? Doing is believing in this field, I think. At least until the MDs start catching up on the research papers.
My major beef is that I don't think his veganism-minus-salt-sugar-oil diet, the Goldhamer Special, is as well-supported as he thinks it is. I was not impressed with the reading list provided on this topic, some of which I have already read. I was expecting a list of links to PubMed or citations from academic journals, but it's a list of books that mostly popularize the questionable results of The China Study. I come at this from a different angle, being a reader in evolutionary biology and ecology. There are a lot of nuances and confounding variables in the discussion, but in general, our digestive tract isn't that similar to a lot of "strictly" herbivorous mammals, and even many herbivores aren't above eating flesh when it's convenient for them to get it. The just-so explanation that it was more energy-efficient to gather plants than to hunt animals, and this prejudiced our bodies toward metabolizing plants, is speculation. Lots of people seem to think that primitive hunting mostly involved 8 guys running after a deer through the woods, and if that's how it worked most of the time, then maybe we wouldn't have gotten very far. But such activities as fishing and trapping and foraging immobile animals like bivalves can be done extremely efficiently, whereas long circuits to collect disparate sources of largely-indigestible plant matter would probably only make sense in seasons of great abundance, such as when nuts are falling and grain is ripening, unless humans lived in a humid tropical climate where fruits and tender vegetables were ripening year-round. There aren't that many regions that fit that bill, especially in Africa, where very many areas are seasonally dry. People could migrate, but migrations take a lot of energy, exactly the thing that animal fats are full of and most plant foods are stingy in. It's maybe not totally impossible, but the idea that humans were almost entirely herbivorous stretches credulity.
With that said, though, I'm in 100% agreement that the ketogenic diet, which has wrapped itself around fasting, is poorly-supported as a diet for long-term health. You can lose a lot of weight on it, but then again, you can lose a lot of fat on type 1 diabetes, tuberculosis, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, and terminal cancer. The ultimate goal is high quality of life and length of life. Losing fat is presumably a means to those ends, but not always. The body tries very strongly to return to glucose metabolism as soon as it possibly can. I think we ignore that fact at our own peril. I think a fair analogy is probably that you can power your house off the electric grid or you can power your most important appliances off of a gas-electric generator. You'd probably be really happy to have that personal generator when the power's out and the linemen need to come do some repairs out in the street, but there are costs to running your house on the generator all the time, like all of the toxic combustion gases wafting into your house day after day.
Like running your house on a personal generator to maintain operations while repairs are in place, metabolizing fats for ketones is probably a good thing when it facilitates other kinds of body repairs, but not really desirable when the repairs have been completed. That's what our biology seems to say when it causes us to long for food while fasting and shuts down ketogenesis almost entirely when sugars come in.
1. Fasting is a very interesting topic.
2. The authorial voice. It comes through. It's funny and judgmental and critical, which I like.
3. The level of thinking in the book is pretty deep for a journalist. A lot of the criticisms Hendricks makes are savvy and don't come from standard texts on the subjects in question, they're of the author's own insight. Which makes the text more valuable than your average journalistic round-up-the-recent-literature tedium that gets released week to week.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering prolonged fasting for health even though it's a little overlong, because the author is good at pointing up the nuances in fasting that are important to understand and is realistic about the current state of research and the difficulties to fasting as a prescription in the realm of conventional medicine. These are important to understand, and you can easily get yourself mixed up and turned around on YouTube trying to get your advice from an ersatz collection buff bros, New Agers, fasters-for-Christ, and some actual MDs.
(In a nutshell, I like the author because he mostly comes to the same conclusions that I do for having read the actual studies on these questions in academic journals. A lot of studies that find no effect apart from caloric restriction during fasting are in fact "fasting" patients on up to 600 calories of food a day. The word "fast" gets thrown around a lot and all of the strategies get lumped together in the vernacular--water fast, dry fast, juice fast, fruit fast, modified fast, fasting-mimicking-diet, intermittent fast, prolonged fast. The general shape of the research is that it's safe for healthy people to fast on water only without supplementation for a week at least, as long as refeeding is done carefully. Given this, it's hard to understand why anyone would choose a modified fast of any kind, which apparently mitigates some of the benefits, as opposed to a water-only one. Furthermore, there's an online trend of doing "rolling" fasts, such as "rolling 36s" or "rolling 72s" where you fast for a little while, refeed briefly, then begin again. Almost all of the muscle loss in fasting occurs during the 2nd day of the fast--why would you spend so much of your devoted fasting time in the 2nd day? Far better to do one 10-day fast than 5 2-day fasts.)
I also appreciated the digressions into circadian rhythms and eating, an aspect that I haven't much toyed with but want to try now. Apparently response to food intake is best when it's earlier in the day, and eating at night seems to be problematic for blood sugar levels. I'd love to go big on breakfast myself and stress less over dinner, but I've never tried it for any significant length of time before.
And hey, if you're a person who's skeptical of fasting and that there are any good medical applications for it, here's what I say: try a 3-day water-only fast. It's not going to kill you unless you're already on death's door. You'll be able to experience how profoundly your body changes between glucose metabolism and ketone metabolism. It's more obvious than the change after taking any medication I've ever been on. Do you still think that such a significant transition in the body can have no possible clinical relevance? Doing is believing in this field, I think. At least until the MDs start catching up on the research papers.
My major beef is that I don't think his veganism-minus-salt-sugar-oil diet, the Goldhamer Special, is as well-supported as he thinks it is. I was not impressed with the reading list provided on this topic, some of which I have already read. I was expecting a list of links to PubMed or citations from academic journals, but it's a list of books that mostly popularize the questionable results of The China Study. I come at this from a different angle, being a reader in evolutionary biology and ecology. There are a lot of nuances and confounding variables in the discussion, but in general, our digestive tract isn't that similar to a lot of "strictly" herbivorous mammals, and even many herbivores aren't above eating flesh when it's convenient for them to get it. The just-so explanation that it was more energy-efficient to gather plants than to hunt animals, and this prejudiced our bodies toward metabolizing plants, is speculation. Lots of people seem to think that primitive hunting mostly involved 8 guys running after a deer through the woods, and if that's how it worked most of the time, then maybe we wouldn't have gotten very far. But such activities as fishing and trapping and foraging immobile animals like bivalves can be done extremely efficiently, whereas long circuits to collect disparate sources of largely-indigestible plant matter would probably only make sense in seasons of great abundance, such as when nuts are falling and grain is ripening, unless humans lived in a humid tropical climate where fruits and tender vegetables were ripening year-round. There aren't that many regions that fit that bill, especially in Africa, where very many areas are seasonally dry. People could migrate, but migrations take a lot of energy, exactly the thing that animal fats are full of and most plant foods are stingy in. It's maybe not totally impossible, but the idea that humans were almost entirely herbivorous stretches credulity.
With that said, though, I'm in 100% agreement that the ketogenic diet, which has wrapped itself around fasting, is poorly-supported as a diet for long-term health. You can lose a lot of weight on it, but then again, you can lose a lot of fat on type 1 diabetes, tuberculosis, Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, and terminal cancer. The ultimate goal is high quality of life and length of life. Losing fat is presumably a means to those ends, but not always. The body tries very strongly to return to glucose metabolism as soon as it possibly can. I think we ignore that fact at our own peril. I think a fair analogy is probably that you can power your house off the electric grid or you can power your most important appliances off of a gas-electric generator. You'd probably be really happy to have that personal generator when the power's out and the linemen need to come do some repairs out in the street, but there are costs to running your house on the generator all the time, like all of the toxic combustion gases wafting into your house day after day.
Like running your house on a personal generator to maintain operations while repairs are in place, metabolizing fats for ketones is probably a good thing when it facilitates other kinds of body repairs, but not really desirable when the repairs have been completed. That's what our biology seems to say when it causes us to long for food while fasting and shuts down ketogenesis almost entirely when sugars come in.
February 15, 2023
In The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting, Steve Hendricks provides the history as well as the science of fasting going back a couple of millennia. According to the author, fasting has been known to cure many kinds of diseases - neurological, cancers, asthma, allergies, arthritis, obesity and the list goes on. 'Fasting' here refers to complete fasting (only with water) and not intermittent fasting. Most of the research on fasting has been done by only two institutions in the world and more findings are on the way. Fasting seems to be such a simple solution to every disease that it seems too good to be true. It may be simple but it is not easy.
We meet the pioneers of fasting going back a couple of centuries and how they were ridiculed for suggesting people to fast their way to health. Mainstream doctors have always been skeptical of fasting as a cure to everything. As Upton Sinclair says: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." If fasting is accepted as a cure for most of the diseases, doctors and pharmaceutical companies will be the big losers. Their livelihood depends upon people falling sick and getting medications. Moreover, they usually treat the symptoms of the disease and not the disease itself. They don’t want people to remain healthy.
Fasting got a few temporary boosts when a few people took their fasts publicly or if any well-known person got cured through it. A couple of well-known fasters were Leo Tolstoy and Upton Sinclair. Now we have a few clinics around the world that help people to keep their fasts with ease. The author himself is an experienced faster and we meet a bunch of people who have benefitted from various long duration fasts kept for a few days to a few weeks. Long duration fasts should be followed by vegan, plant-rich diet to keep the benefits of the fasting for longer durations. Fasting may not be able to cure everything but it can reduce the pain and suffering caused by most of the diseases. It’s not just what you eat but also when you eat.
The book has a lot of anecdotes but also science. Hendricks has also provided a few websites to refer to for more information on fasting. He has provided the workings of how different foods are absorbed in our body and the mechanisms of cells and DNA. Fasting has a lot of affects on the body and most of them are positive. If someone is doing a longer fast, they should do it under medical supervision. Intermittent fasting is quite manageable. I have never fasted in my life but I think I'm ready to do it for a day or two. I have nothing to lose but may be a few pounds.
We meet the pioneers of fasting going back a couple of centuries and how they were ridiculed for suggesting people to fast their way to health. Mainstream doctors have always been skeptical of fasting as a cure to everything. As Upton Sinclair says: “It is difficult to get a man to understand something when his salary depends upon his not understanding it." If fasting is accepted as a cure for most of the diseases, doctors and pharmaceutical companies will be the big losers. Their livelihood depends upon people falling sick and getting medications. Moreover, they usually treat the symptoms of the disease and not the disease itself. They don’t want people to remain healthy.
Fasting got a few temporary boosts when a few people took their fasts publicly or if any well-known person got cured through it. A couple of well-known fasters were Leo Tolstoy and Upton Sinclair. Now we have a few clinics around the world that help people to keep their fasts with ease. The author himself is an experienced faster and we meet a bunch of people who have benefitted from various long duration fasts kept for a few days to a few weeks. Long duration fasts should be followed by vegan, plant-rich diet to keep the benefits of the fasting for longer durations. Fasting may not be able to cure everything but it can reduce the pain and suffering caused by most of the diseases. It’s not just what you eat but also when you eat.
The book has a lot of anecdotes but also science. Hendricks has also provided a few websites to refer to for more information on fasting. He has provided the workings of how different foods are absorbed in our body and the mechanisms of cells and DNA. Fasting has a lot of affects on the body and most of them are positive. If someone is doing a longer fast, they should do it under medical supervision. Intermittent fasting is quite manageable. I have never fasted in my life but I think I'm ready to do it for a day or two. I have nothing to lose but may be a few pounds.
February 16, 2023
3.5. There was useful information on both fasting and eating in the chapters toward the end of the book. The first half of the book was primarily a history of fasting and as someone else mentioned, it was overly long.
Much of the book was carefully researched, but there were any number of opinions that were passed off as facts—especially when he discussed vegan diets. For example, he had a theory that we could not have always been carnivores because we didn’t have the tools necessary for hunting and so our stomachs weren’t built to handle meat, and so meat makes us sick. Hmmm. There are several lapses of logic there.
However, there was a chapter that thoroughly discussed the research on “time restricted feeding” (shorter hours for eating each day such as eating only from 8 to 4 ) that made me forgive him for his theories.
He also talked throughout the book about a variety of ways of doing fasts and told the stories of his own fasts and those of others doing them. They were interesting. The book’s focus is on fasting for health, as opposed to fasting to lose weight. But he did talk about weight loss, as well.
I’m glad I read the book and I recommend it to others who are trying to think through how or if fasting might work in their own life. I’d just urge caution when he jumps on a bandwagon while saying, well, there’s no research that’s been done in this area, but X, Y and Z must be the case.
Much of the book was carefully researched, but there were any number of opinions that were passed off as facts—especially when he discussed vegan diets. For example, he had a theory that we could not have always been carnivores because we didn’t have the tools necessary for hunting and so our stomachs weren’t built to handle meat, and so meat makes us sick. Hmmm. There are several lapses of logic there.
However, there was a chapter that thoroughly discussed the research on “time restricted feeding” (shorter hours for eating each day such as eating only from 8 to 4 ) that made me forgive him for his theories.
He also talked throughout the book about a variety of ways of doing fasts and told the stories of his own fasts and those of others doing them. They were interesting. The book’s focus is on fasting for health, as opposed to fasting to lose weight. But he did talk about weight loss, as well.
I’m glad I read the book and I recommend it to others who are trying to think through how or if fasting might work in their own life. I’d just urge caution when he jumps on a bandwagon while saying, well, there’s no research that’s been done in this area, but X, Y and Z must be the case.
October 5, 2022
I've been an intermittent faster for a few years now, so was interested to discover what he had to say regarding extended or prolonged fasting. I will state up front that his nutrition information is totally at odds with what experts like Dr Jason Fung and others say, especially regarding the macro nutrients carbohydrate, fat, and protein and the role they play in insulin reactivity, etc. and his diet recommendation is extreme to say the least. I would doubt that many people will find that aspect of the book convincing.
That said, the page after page of historical accounts of prolonged fasting (3 to 30 days, or even the biblical 40 or more) leading to remarkable cures and transformations in health is very compelling. Giving the gut the 12 or more hours of "rest" that was normal until the industrial age can give great benefits, allowing processes to begin -- and complete -- that can bring about remarkable changes in health. Those assertions (backed up with copious notes, although I was listening and not reading so can't comment on the veracity of them) do match what I have learned from other experts in fasting.
For those dealing with chronic health issues that haven't been amendable by pills, surgeries, therapies, or other less intense changes in eating habits, I recommend that you pick up this book and see if what he tells you is convincing enough to try something very different.
That said, the page after page of historical accounts of prolonged fasting (3 to 30 days, or even the biblical 40 or more) leading to remarkable cures and transformations in health is very compelling. Giving the gut the 12 or more hours of "rest" that was normal until the industrial age can give great benefits, allowing processes to begin -- and complete -- that can bring about remarkable changes in health. Those assertions (backed up with copious notes, although I was listening and not reading so can't comment on the veracity of them) do match what I have learned from other experts in fasting.
For those dealing with chronic health issues that haven't been amendable by pills, surgeries, therapies, or other less intense changes in eating habits, I recommend that you pick up this book and see if what he tells you is convincing enough to try something very different.
December 9, 2022
Absolutely fascinating. This books covers fasting in depth, from its involvement in religious and medical history, to the medical processes behind fasting and why it can heal so many disorders and health issues. I very much enjoyed the personal memoir experiences shared in the book, and the author often uses clever phrases that make the reading more enjoyable. I am inspired by learning how fasting helps with jet lag, and reduces chemo side effects (should I ever need that info), and I am resolved to do a 7-21 day fast to address my autoimmune issues. I did apologize to my kids for always urging food on them when they were sick, and will stop that nonsense in the future.
October 13, 2022
Would have been good without the vegan propaganda. There is lots of good, well-researched history on fasting. There is also a ton of garbage on veganism. The science he uses (the oft-debunked T. Colin Campbell) is thin gruel indeed.
Despite fasting frequently, the author continues to complain about gas and IBS. Maybe if he wasn't shoving massive amounts of insoluble fiber and plant defense chemicals into his gullet everyday that flatulence would go away? As he says in the book, "it's the diet, stupid."
Despite fasting frequently, the author continues to complain about gas and IBS. Maybe if he wasn't shoving massive amounts of insoluble fiber and plant defense chemicals into his gullet everyday that flatulence would go away? As he says in the book, "it's the diet, stupid."
April 4, 2024
Really enjoyed the testimonials and stories from people and their experience but the author held an obvious hatred for Christianity. Aside from the unnecessary bashing of Christianity (which in perspective was irrelevant to the topic) I really enjoyed the book!
December 15, 2024
I was less interested in the history of fasting than in the effects of fasting, so I did skip or skim a few chapters. While the book is mostly an anecdotal story of the authors own fasting journey, they do spend quite a bit of time talking about the science, which I appreciated. Possibly the most interesting chapter was 16, where the role your circadian rhythm has on your body was discussed.
August 2, 2025
The parts about the history of fasting are overlong and pedestrian, especially given the author's eye-rolling contempt for anything religious (he's of the FACTS AND LOGIC!! type). But there's some interesting stuff here, particularly about time-restricted eating, as well as some heart-warming case studies. Naturally I also enjoy that it affirms my beliefs about what a healthy diet is (minimally process and vegan, clearly).
April 25, 2025
Truly, outstanding! He does thorough research and goes through the history and shows how our corrupt medical system doesn’t want to hear about what fasting can achieve in many disease states that have no alternate therapies. I think that we live in a world where people just want to take a pill and get better versus taking ownership of their health and then shunning the food industry and eating a Whole Foods plant-based diet to support their health.
October 25, 2023
The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks is a comprehensive exploration of the historical, scientific, and health-related aspects of fasting, offering a balanced perspective on its potential benefits.
From ancient religious rituals to the latest wellness trends, fasting has captured the imagination of countless individuals seeking both physical and spiritual benefits. This age-old practice has found renewed interest in recent years as scientific research delves into its potential health advantages, ranging from improved metabolic health and weight management to enhanced cognitive function and longevity. With an intriguing blend of tradition and cutting-edge science, fasting has become a topic of compelling relevance in the realm of modern health and wellness.
In this review, we will delve into the book The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks, a comprehensive exploration of the historical roots, scientific underpinnings, and practical applications of fasting.
Author’s background
Steve Hendricks is a freelance writer and journalist.
Hendricks has contributed articles to various publications, including DoubleTake, Sierra, Orion, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Nation. Additionally, he has written for the Progressive Media Project and Montana Public Radio.
What is the book about?
The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks is a comprehensive exploration of the history, science, and practice of fasting – a timeless remedy that is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. This book takes readers on a journey through the ages, from the earliest days of humanity to the modern era, unravelling the complex and often surprising relationship between fasting and health.
Readers will gain insights into the potential benefits of fasting for a wide range of conditions, including asthma, psoriasis, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Hendricks highlights the groundbreaking research on fasting’s impact on blood pressure and its ability to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy while mitigating its side effects.
The Oldest Cure in the World is a thought-provoking and persuasive exploration of when and why we should abstain from food. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on the ancient practice of fasting.
Three key takeaways from The Oldest Cure in the World
1. Fasting is deeply ingrained into human genes
The most important takeaway from The Oldest Cure in the World is the recognition that fasting is an ancient and deeply rooted tradition. Fasting has a rich history, dating back to the Vedic religion in India around 1500 BC, where it was practised as a means of spiritual purification. It was embraced in various forms by Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Jainism during the Axial Age, a period of significant religious and philosophical development.
Fasting served different purposes in these religions, from purification and self-discipline to spiritual enlightenment and penance. Notably, fasting for physical health was not a prevalent concept in these ancient traditions. Instead, it was mainly used as a tool for spiritual and moral development.
This historical perspective sheds light on the evolution of fasting and its diverse applications, from religious rituals to self-improvement. It underscores the enduring fascination with fasting as a means to achieve various goals, both spiritual and physical, and highlights how this practice has persisted and adapted over millennia.
2. Fasting can aid cancer treatment and recovery
In one of the chapters, the book presents groundbreaking research by Dr. Valter Longo, who explored the profound impact of fasting on cancer treatment. He discovered that fasting could slow the growth of cancer by down-regulating pro-growth pathways and making it harder for tumour cells to thrive, particularly when they depend on glucose. Fasting also demonstrated remarkable potential when combined with chemotherapy and radiation, safeguarding healthy cells from the toxicity of treatment while allowing cancer cells to remain vulnerable. While doctors initially hesitated to incorporate fasting into cancer therapy due to concerns about patients losing weight, Longo’s experiments eventually showed that fasting could reduce chemotherapy’s side effects and improve its efficacy.
Subsequently, he developed a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) that replicates fasting’s benefits without the need for complete food deprivation. FMDs, consisting of specific calorie-restricted diets, have shown promising results in both mice and humans, improving overall health and potentially enhancing cancer treatment outcomes. These findings represent a groundbreaking shift in cancer therapy, emphasising the importance of protecting healthy cells as a means to combat cancer effectively.
3. Fasting has the potential to be used in psychiatric healthcare
In the 1970s, there was a brief moment of curiosity in the West about the potential of therapeutic fasting for psychiatric health. American psychiatrist Allan Cott’s fasting experiments with thirty-five schizophrenic patients at New York’s Gracie Square Hospital showed remarkable improvements, with most patients recovering after an average fast of twenty-five days. Some remained healthy for several years, endorsing a vegetarian diet and regular maintenance fasts for long-term recovery. However, bureaucratic resistance and a preference for drug-based treatments hampered the widespread adoption of fasting therapy, despite its demonstrated safety and efficacy. Even though a few North American psychiatrists briefly explored fasting, it remained largely ignored by the scientific community. This historical episode highlights missed opportunities in exploring fasting as a potentially valuable tool in psychiatric healthcare, as it has remained largely dormant for over a generation.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Offers an in-depth and well-researched exploration of the historical and scientific aspects of fasting.
• The author’s firsthand experience with fasting adds credibility and depth to the book’s content, offering a unique perspective that resonates with readers.
• Provides a balanced perspective on fasting, emphasising its benefits without excessively denigrating other lifestyles or viewpoints.
Weaknesses:
• While exploring the scientific and historical aspects of fasting, the book’s aggressive stance against the spiritual aspects of fasting may alienate readers who value the intersection of spirituality and health.
Best quotes from The Oldest Cure in the World
“Moving on to fasted mice, he tested first how they fared with chemotherapy alone, in the absence of cancer. He fed one group of mice normally, fasted another for forty-eight hours, and then gave both a monstrous dose of chemotherapy – proportionally three times the maximum for humans. Ten days later, 43 percent of the fed group were dead, and those who survived were a sorry lot: lethargic, weak of stomach, patchy of hair, clearly not long for this world. The fasted group, on the other hand, looked an entirely different race: only 6 percent of them had died, and just a few of the survivors were visibly toxicated.”
“When researchers fasted mice every other day for several months, the mice learned new tasks better than their free-eating peers, and when mice were fasted every other day for nearly a year, they got through mazes more quickly and responded more prudently to threats. Old rats who ate every other day for three months learned to swim a water maze faster and remembered it better.”
Final takeaway
The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks offers a captivating journey through the history, science, and practice of fasting, shedding light on its multifaceted role in human culture and health. Readers will gain a profound understanding of fasting’s deep-rooted traditions, from spiritual practices to modern applications in healthcare.
This thought-provoking exploration of fasting is a valuable resource for anyone interested in uncovering the timeless and transformative potential of abstaining from food to enhance both physical and spiritual well-being.
From ancient religious rituals to the latest wellness trends, fasting has captured the imagination of countless individuals seeking both physical and spiritual benefits. This age-old practice has found renewed interest in recent years as scientific research delves into its potential health advantages, ranging from improved metabolic health and weight management to enhanced cognitive function and longevity. With an intriguing blend of tradition and cutting-edge science, fasting has become a topic of compelling relevance in the realm of modern health and wellness.
In this review, we will delve into the book The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks, a comprehensive exploration of the historical roots, scientific underpinnings, and practical applications of fasting.
Author’s background
Steve Hendricks is a freelance writer and journalist.
Hendricks has contributed articles to various publications, including DoubleTake, Sierra, Orion, Boston Globe, San Francisco Chronicle, and the Nation. Additionally, he has written for the Progressive Media Project and Montana Public Radio.
What is the book about?
The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks is a comprehensive exploration of the history, science, and practice of fasting – a timeless remedy that is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. This book takes readers on a journey through the ages, from the earliest days of humanity to the modern era, unravelling the complex and often surprising relationship between fasting and health.
Readers will gain insights into the potential benefits of fasting for a wide range of conditions, including asthma, psoriasis, arthritis, irritable bowel syndrome, and more. Hendricks highlights the groundbreaking research on fasting’s impact on blood pressure and its ability to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy while mitigating its side effects.
The Oldest Cure in the World is a thought-provoking and persuasive exploration of when and why we should abstain from food. It challenges conventional wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on the ancient practice of fasting.
Three key takeaways from The Oldest Cure in the World
1. Fasting is deeply ingrained into human genes
The most important takeaway from The Oldest Cure in the World is the recognition that fasting is an ancient and deeply rooted tradition. Fasting has a rich history, dating back to the Vedic religion in India around 1500 BC, where it was practised as a means of spiritual purification. It was embraced in various forms by Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Jainism during the Axial Age, a period of significant religious and philosophical development.
Fasting served different purposes in these religions, from purification and self-discipline to spiritual enlightenment and penance. Notably, fasting for physical health was not a prevalent concept in these ancient traditions. Instead, it was mainly used as a tool for spiritual and moral development.
This historical perspective sheds light on the evolution of fasting and its diverse applications, from religious rituals to self-improvement. It underscores the enduring fascination with fasting as a means to achieve various goals, both spiritual and physical, and highlights how this practice has persisted and adapted over millennia.
2. Fasting can aid cancer treatment and recovery
In one of the chapters, the book presents groundbreaking research by Dr. Valter Longo, who explored the profound impact of fasting on cancer treatment. He discovered that fasting could slow the growth of cancer by down-regulating pro-growth pathways and making it harder for tumour cells to thrive, particularly when they depend on glucose. Fasting also demonstrated remarkable potential when combined with chemotherapy and radiation, safeguarding healthy cells from the toxicity of treatment while allowing cancer cells to remain vulnerable. While doctors initially hesitated to incorporate fasting into cancer therapy due to concerns about patients losing weight, Longo’s experiments eventually showed that fasting could reduce chemotherapy’s side effects and improve its efficacy.
Subsequently, he developed a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD) that replicates fasting’s benefits without the need for complete food deprivation. FMDs, consisting of specific calorie-restricted diets, have shown promising results in both mice and humans, improving overall health and potentially enhancing cancer treatment outcomes. These findings represent a groundbreaking shift in cancer therapy, emphasising the importance of protecting healthy cells as a means to combat cancer effectively.
3. Fasting has the potential to be used in psychiatric healthcare
In the 1970s, there was a brief moment of curiosity in the West about the potential of therapeutic fasting for psychiatric health. American psychiatrist Allan Cott’s fasting experiments with thirty-five schizophrenic patients at New York’s Gracie Square Hospital showed remarkable improvements, with most patients recovering after an average fast of twenty-five days. Some remained healthy for several years, endorsing a vegetarian diet and regular maintenance fasts for long-term recovery. However, bureaucratic resistance and a preference for drug-based treatments hampered the widespread adoption of fasting therapy, despite its demonstrated safety and efficacy. Even though a few North American psychiatrists briefly explored fasting, it remained largely ignored by the scientific community. This historical episode highlights missed opportunities in exploring fasting as a potentially valuable tool in psychiatric healthcare, as it has remained largely dormant for over a generation.
Strengths and weaknesses, according to readers’ reviews
Strengths:
• Offers an in-depth and well-researched exploration of the historical and scientific aspects of fasting.
• The author’s firsthand experience with fasting adds credibility and depth to the book’s content, offering a unique perspective that resonates with readers.
• Provides a balanced perspective on fasting, emphasising its benefits without excessively denigrating other lifestyles or viewpoints.
Weaknesses:
• While exploring the scientific and historical aspects of fasting, the book’s aggressive stance against the spiritual aspects of fasting may alienate readers who value the intersection of spirituality and health.
Best quotes from The Oldest Cure in the World
“Moving on to fasted mice, he tested first how they fared with chemotherapy alone, in the absence of cancer. He fed one group of mice normally, fasted another for forty-eight hours, and then gave both a monstrous dose of chemotherapy – proportionally three times the maximum for humans. Ten days later, 43 percent of the fed group were dead, and those who survived were a sorry lot: lethargic, weak of stomach, patchy of hair, clearly not long for this world. The fasted group, on the other hand, looked an entirely different race: only 6 percent of them had died, and just a few of the survivors were visibly toxicated.”
“When researchers fasted mice every other day for several months, the mice learned new tasks better than their free-eating peers, and when mice were fasted every other day for nearly a year, they got through mazes more quickly and responded more prudently to threats. Old rats who ate every other day for three months learned to swim a water maze faster and remembered it better.”
Final takeaway
The Oldest Cure in the World by Steve Hendricks offers a captivating journey through the history, science, and practice of fasting, shedding light on its multifaceted role in human culture and health. Readers will gain a profound understanding of fasting’s deep-rooted traditions, from spiritual practices to modern applications in healthcare.
This thought-provoking exploration of fasting is a valuable resource for anyone interested in uncovering the timeless and transformative potential of abstaining from food to enhance both physical and spiritual well-being.
August 5, 2022
My thanks to both NetGalley and the publisher Abrams Press for an advanced copy of this book on the history and methods for fasting and dieting.
Giving things up is hard. Especially food or drink. Numerous people I know need that first cup of coffee, and my nephews would just die if they didn't get Goldfish crackers when watching television. However abstaining from something isn't easy either. Not only the mental pressures and pangs that a person has while giving something that meant so much up, but society pressures as people feel uncomfortable about themselves when others try something new. Like not drinking alcohol at a wedding. Or not trying the super special cake at a super special and expensive birthday celebration. Now imagine giving up eating, and in some cases drinking for health. Suddenly everyone is WebMD about the subject. There is a lot of misconceptions and bad ideas about fasting, and journalist and occasional faster Steve Hendricks has tried to clear up a lot of them in his book The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting. Hendricks discusses the history, religious meaning and science of fasting, along with his experiments in fasting and its effects on his own health.
The book begins wth a story set in America at the end of the 19th century. A gentlemen doctor enters into a bet with society doctors saying that he could fast for forty days without ill effects or much in the way of discomfort. He will accomplish this while being watched at all times, everything monitored and examined, and without water, almost to add a little challenge to the story. Soon the public would gather, watching the uneating man, as after he started drinking water after rough patch, went against most scientific thinking and remained relatively healthy. Soon he broke his fast, almost gorging and soon regained back his weight, again with no ill effects. I had never heard this story, and find it fascinating. From there the book goes into the history of fasting dealing with both religious and philosophical figures who promoted fasting, or railed against, it, and even into some quack medicine that tried to profit from it. Hendricks investigates the science and the health issues that can be helped by fasting, and the battles that still go on among medical professionals about the benefits and consequences involved. The author also describes his own fasts, losing weight after a knee injury, traveling to fasting resorts in beautiful locales, and stripmalls in California.
A book that asks and answers a lot about a subject that seems strange to be so controversial. As a person who has had problems with weight, the ideas here are intriguing and worth attempting. The research seems full, with a lot of sourceing and much of the information was new to me. Hendricks has a very good way of presenting information, explaining the subject and making the information clear. Balanced with his own tales of fasting it makes for a very interesting book.
I'm not sure if this is for everyone. And I know this would be hard for a lot of people. I did do a juice fast years ago and was not in a rush to get back to food I think not eating for almost two days afterward. However since then I have made up for that. A nice overview of something that might be able to help people, and very well written at that.
Giving things up is hard. Especially food or drink. Numerous people I know need that first cup of coffee, and my nephews would just die if they didn't get Goldfish crackers when watching television. However abstaining from something isn't easy either. Not only the mental pressures and pangs that a person has while giving something that meant so much up, but society pressures as people feel uncomfortable about themselves when others try something new. Like not drinking alcohol at a wedding. Or not trying the super special cake at a super special and expensive birthday celebration. Now imagine giving up eating, and in some cases drinking for health. Suddenly everyone is WebMD about the subject. There is a lot of misconceptions and bad ideas about fasting, and journalist and occasional faster Steve Hendricks has tried to clear up a lot of them in his book The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting. Hendricks discusses the history, religious meaning and science of fasting, along with his experiments in fasting and its effects on his own health.
The book begins wth a story set in America at the end of the 19th century. A gentlemen doctor enters into a bet with society doctors saying that he could fast for forty days without ill effects or much in the way of discomfort. He will accomplish this while being watched at all times, everything monitored and examined, and without water, almost to add a little challenge to the story. Soon the public would gather, watching the uneating man, as after he started drinking water after rough patch, went against most scientific thinking and remained relatively healthy. Soon he broke his fast, almost gorging and soon regained back his weight, again with no ill effects. I had never heard this story, and find it fascinating. From there the book goes into the history of fasting dealing with both religious and philosophical figures who promoted fasting, or railed against, it, and even into some quack medicine that tried to profit from it. Hendricks investigates the science and the health issues that can be helped by fasting, and the battles that still go on among medical professionals about the benefits and consequences involved. The author also describes his own fasts, losing weight after a knee injury, traveling to fasting resorts in beautiful locales, and stripmalls in California.
A book that asks and answers a lot about a subject that seems strange to be so controversial. As a person who has had problems with weight, the ideas here are intriguing and worth attempting. The research seems full, with a lot of sourceing and much of the information was new to me. Hendricks has a very good way of presenting information, explaining the subject and making the information clear. Balanced with his own tales of fasting it makes for a very interesting book.
I'm not sure if this is for everyone. And I know this would be hard for a lot of people. I did do a juice fast years ago and was not in a rush to get back to food I think not eating for almost two days afterward. However since then I have made up for that. A nice overview of something that might be able to help people, and very well written at that.
September 11, 2022
Thank you to the publisher for the copy of this book. It is a rare book that keeps me interested enough to follow up with two books and attempt a lifestyle change, but this book was one of them. It was able to explain scientific and medical ideas well without sounding too simplistic or getting too technical.
November 11, 2022
Mostly anecdotes and historical accounts of fasting from years past. I didn't find kooky fasting stories particularly helpful, but some other stories seemed like legitimate medical mysteries. More of those would have been interesting. This is definitely not science imho, but worth a skim.
May 14, 2024
It’s been a few weeks since I finished this book. This one has stuck with me so far and the lessons are eye opening. If you want to be able to live healthy, please consider reading this book…
April 26, 2023
Very educational and eye-opening. Prior to reading this book, I only thought of fasting as a religious practice for the sole purpose of enlightening one’s spirit. Hendricks opened my eyes to the vast healing possibilities that various forms of fasting can provide through citing numerous studies and anecdotes. This book left me both optimistic in the potential of fasting to treat various maladies, as well as pessimistic that our nations’ “sick care” will only continue to undermine its many benefits. This sentiment is perfectly summed up by Upton Sinclair; “It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends upon his not understanding it.”
November 10, 2023
A detailed history book of fasting that delves deep into the works of the prominent figures. My highlights were Henry Tanner who carried out a performative 40 day fast in Manhattan and the Russian doctor Yuri Nikolayev who treated schizophrenic patients with 30 day fasts. As an avid intermittent faster, this book inspired me to dip my toes into prolonged fasting in the future. I was also glad to have confirmed that my long standing practice of skipping dinner is a major benefit to my health. In my time restricted feeding, I would eat breakfast and fast through lunch and dinner which turns out this is a health booster. I'll keep on keeping on.
December 14, 2023
Amazing but I would've liked more on the mental side of things, for example even a three day fast is no small thing, let alone a 30 day one.
Really liked some of the stories, author had a good tone, even entertaining for at least 20 minutes at a time if you're interested in health stuff. Pretty good all in all. Helped me get myself to do a 3 day fast and without exaggerating, it's been one of my biggest willpower level ups and felt great during it.
Really liked some of the stories, author had a good tone, even entertaining for at least 20 minutes at a time if you're interested in health stuff. Pretty good all in all. Helped me get myself to do a 3 day fast and without exaggerating, it's been one of my biggest willpower level ups and felt great during it.
September 7, 2022
Beautifully written, witty, and smart. The author does a masterful job weaving the history, science, and his own personal tales of fasting into a book that's extremely intelligent yet readable by anyone. Read it if you are curious about the world or appreciate a finely crafted sentence, whether or not you think fasting might be for you.
May 21, 2023
Three and a half stars. Picked this one up after listening to Hendricks on a podcast. The history of fasting is fairly interesting but I was more intrigued by his personal experience with prolonged fasts in Germany and at TruNorth in California. My biggest takeaway is the science behind an earlier feeding window, which I may try.
January 6, 2024
On my journey to research for a second book, this happens to be my 13th book about fasting I've read, yet is my favorite overall! The rich and storied tales of history made for one the most enjoyable books I've ever read (perhaps top 3 most enjoyable)!
I hope Hendricks is working his next great read.
I hope Hendricks is working his next great read.
January 4, 2023
Overall a good book. Learned a lot. The potential health impacts of fasting are stunning. A persuasive book.
May 8, 2023
Fascinating discussion of the various and extensive benefits of fasting. A must read for anyone interested in nutrition and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Highly recommend!
November 13, 2023
Definitely worth a shot
February 18, 2024
Great introduction into the science behind fasting. Some of the historical parts were a bit slow, but I enjoyed the author's witty writing. This was a fun and inspiring read.
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April 13, 2025Book Review: The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting by Steve Hendricks
In The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting, Steve Hendricks embarks on a fascinating exploration of fasting, weaving together historical anecdotes, scientific research, and personal narratives. This book serves as both an informative guide and a compelling narrative, shedding light on a practice that has been an integral part of various cultures and religions throughout history.
A Historical Journey
Hendricks begins by tracing the history of fasting, illustrating its significance in ancient civilizations and religious practices. From the spiritual fasts of various faiths to the medicinal use of fasting in traditional healing practices, he highlights how this age-old practice has shaped human health and spirituality. This historical context is not only engaging but also provides readers with a deeper understanding of the cultural ramifications and enduring relevance of fasting in modern society.
Science Meets Tradition
One of the book’s strengths is Hendricks’ ability to marry scientific research with traditional wisdom. He delves into the physiological impacts of fasting, detailing how it affects the body at the cellular level. The author presents findings from contemporary studies that support the health benefits of fasting, such as weight management, improved metabolic health, and even potential longevity. Hendricks strikes a balance between anecdotal evidence and empirical research, making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general reader.
Personal Narratives and Practical Insights
Throughout the narrative, Hendricks shares his own experiences with fasting, adding a personal touch that makes the book relatable. His candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of fasting invite readers to consider their own relationship with food and health. Additionally, he provides practical insights on how to approach fasting safely and effectively, encouraging readers to explore its potential benefits while being mindful of their individual needs.
Cultural Reflections and Modern Implications
Hendricks also addresses the cultural shifts surrounding food consumption in contemporary society, highlighting how modern eating habits have deviated from those of our ancestors. He reflects on the implications of these changes for individual health and community well-being, urging readers to reconsider their dietary choices in light of fasting’s historical significance.
Conclusion: A Thought-Provoking Read
The Oldest Cure in the World is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of fasting that appeals to a wide audience, from health enthusiasts to those interested in cultural history. Steve Hendricks masterfully combines storytelling with scientific inquiry, making a compelling case for the benefits of fasting as both a health practice and a pathway to greater self-awareness. This book is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of fasting, its historical roots, and its potential role in modern health practices. Whether you are a seasoned faster or a curious newcomer, Hendricks’ work is sure to inspire reflection and conversation about our age-old relationship with food.
In The Oldest Cure in the World: Adventures in the Art and Science of Fasting, Steve Hendricks embarks on a fascinating exploration of fasting, weaving together historical anecdotes, scientific research, and personal narratives. This book serves as both an informative guide and a compelling narrative, shedding light on a practice that has been an integral part of various cultures and religions throughout history.
A Historical Journey
Hendricks begins by tracing the history of fasting, illustrating its significance in ancient civilizations and religious practices. From the spiritual fasts of various faiths to the medicinal use of fasting in traditional healing practices, he highlights how this age-old practice has shaped human health and spirituality. This historical context is not only engaging but also provides readers with a deeper understanding of the cultural ramifications and enduring relevance of fasting in modern society.
Science Meets Tradition
One of the book’s strengths is Hendricks’ ability to marry scientific research with traditional wisdom. He delves into the physiological impacts of fasting, detailing how it affects the body at the cellular level. The author presents findings from contemporary studies that support the health benefits of fasting, such as weight management, improved metabolic health, and even potential longevity. Hendricks strikes a balance between anecdotal evidence and empirical research, making complex scientific concepts accessible to the general reader.
Personal Narratives and Practical Insights
Throughout the narrative, Hendricks shares his own experiences with fasting, adding a personal touch that makes the book relatable. His candid reflections on the challenges and rewards of fasting invite readers to consider their own relationship with food and health. Additionally, he provides practical insights on how to approach fasting safely and effectively, encouraging readers to explore its potential benefits while being mindful of their individual needs.
Cultural Reflections and Modern Implications
Hendricks also addresses the cultural shifts surrounding food consumption in contemporary society, highlighting how modern eating habits have deviated from those of our ancestors. He reflects on the implications of these changes for individual health and community well-being, urging readers to reconsider their dietary choices in light of fasting’s historical significance.
Conclusion: A Thought-Provoking Read
The Oldest Cure in the World is an engaging and thought-provoking exploration of fasting that appeals to a wide audience, from health enthusiasts to those interested in cultural history. Steve Hendricks masterfully combines storytelling with scientific inquiry, making a compelling case for the benefits of fasting as both a health practice and a pathway to greater self-awareness. This book is highly recommended for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of fasting, its historical roots, and its potential role in modern health practices. Whether you are a seasoned faster or a curious newcomer, Hendricks’ work is sure to inspire reflection and conversation about our age-old relationship with food.
February 25, 2024
A well written book about fasting told historically, scientifically, and anecdotally.
Historically, fasting may be as old as humanity itself though there is probably no way to determine whether such was intentional or simply due to sporadic access to food. Records indicate the whys of fasting as early as Ancient Greece and in parallel by Hindus, and thereafter by Buddhists. Fasting was likewise prevalent in Ancient Rome and was also used by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The practice has only recently become somewhat more mainstream in the United States, though it has not been without its proponents over the past 200 years (examples include Henry Tanner and Mark Twain). One cool side note is how researchers at the Mayo Clinic, when examining fasting’s curative effect on seizures and epilepsy, discovered and named the Ketogenic Diet.
Scientifically, the supposed benefits of fasting have been recorded throughout history, and again only recently has such been examined in controlled, experimental settings. One possible explanation why it’s taken this long to meticulously identify real benefits is the success of pharmacology, which is a much easier (even if potentially harmful) way to treat specific symptoms. According to its advocates, fasting, in contrast, reverses pernicious conditions by addressing them at the root: insulin resistance, a disrupted microbiome, and damaged cellular components that refuse to die, to name a few. Various controlled experiments involving yeast, fruit flies, different species of mammals, and even humans seem to demonstrate that fasting extends not only lifespan, but healthspan as well. In terms of lifespan, at least one noteworthy study showed that alternate day fasting (ADF) resulted in 25% - 50% increased longevity in rats. In terms of healthspan, ADF, a modified ADF (mADF), and time restricted eating have all been shown to mitigate, if not eliminate, a laundry list of maladies in humans. Beware the conflation, however, between fasting and caloric restriction, the latter of which has much more research behind it.
Anecdotally, author Steve Hendricks not only went on numerous prolonged fasts himself, he also had stays at two prominent fasting retreats, the Buchinger Wilhelmi Fasting Clinic in Germany and the True North Health Center in Santa Rosa, California. Mr. Hendricks’s account of his experiences separates this from other books on fasting, and that account is quite possibly the best part of the book.
Although miracle stories of being cured from terminal cancers and other diseases start and end this book, Mr. Hendricks does give a disclaimer that fasting should not be viewed as a magic bullet, though he does consider it a “magic shield” in its preventative potential. Like most things, fasting should be viewed with healthy doses of both optimism and skepticism. One doesn’t need to agree with everything here, for example the ardent promotion of veganism, to take something from this.
Historically, fasting may be as old as humanity itself though there is probably no way to determine whether such was intentional or simply due to sporadic access to food. Records indicate the whys of fasting as early as Ancient Greece and in parallel by Hindus, and thereafter by Buddhists. Fasting was likewise prevalent in Ancient Rome and was also used by Jews, Muslims, and Christians. The practice has only recently become somewhat more mainstream in the United States, though it has not been without its proponents over the past 200 years (examples include Henry Tanner and Mark Twain). One cool side note is how researchers at the Mayo Clinic, when examining fasting’s curative effect on seizures and epilepsy, discovered and named the Ketogenic Diet.
Scientifically, the supposed benefits of fasting have been recorded throughout history, and again only recently has such been examined in controlled, experimental settings. One possible explanation why it’s taken this long to meticulously identify real benefits is the success of pharmacology, which is a much easier (even if potentially harmful) way to treat specific symptoms. According to its advocates, fasting, in contrast, reverses pernicious conditions by addressing them at the root: insulin resistance, a disrupted microbiome, and damaged cellular components that refuse to die, to name a few. Various controlled experiments involving yeast, fruit flies, different species of mammals, and even humans seem to demonstrate that fasting extends not only lifespan, but healthspan as well. In terms of lifespan, at least one noteworthy study showed that alternate day fasting (ADF) resulted in 25% - 50% increased longevity in rats. In terms of healthspan, ADF, a modified ADF (mADF), and time restricted eating have all been shown to mitigate, if not eliminate, a laundry list of maladies in humans. Beware the conflation, however, between fasting and caloric restriction, the latter of which has much more research behind it.
Anecdotally, author Steve Hendricks not only went on numerous prolonged fasts himself, he also had stays at two prominent fasting retreats, the Buchinger Wilhelmi Fasting Clinic in Germany and the True North Health Center in Santa Rosa, California. Mr. Hendricks’s account of his experiences separates this from other books on fasting, and that account is quite possibly the best part of the book.
Although miracle stories of being cured from terminal cancers and other diseases start and end this book, Mr. Hendricks does give a disclaimer that fasting should not be viewed as a magic bullet, though he does consider it a “magic shield” in its preventative potential. Like most things, fasting should be viewed with healthy doses of both optimism and skepticism. One doesn’t need to agree with everything here, for example the ardent promotion of veganism, to take something from this.
January 5, 2023
This is an incredibly thorough account of fasting from history through the present day. It's abundantly clear Hendricks put an incredible amount of research into writing this book. Sometimes it felt like every even mildly noteworthy aspect of fasting history was included.
That thoroughness sometimes is a detriment. There are very long stretches that are wholly uninteresting. Fortunately it's very easy to skim those sections if you just want the CliffsNotes of history. Also fortunately, the author's personal experiences that he intersperses throughout the book are interesting and not just an anecdotal retelling of what he's done and experienced.
The book only lightly touches on the mechanics of fasting, with just quick mentions of how things like gluconeogenesis or autophagy work. This is a good thing because the topics are already covered ad nauseam in other fasting books (and online).
Bottom line, this is a great read for anyone interested in the history and benefits of fasting, especially with a focus on why and how it hasn't yet become mainstream. Although it doesn't spend much time on "how" to fast, it's still inspirational for anyone who struggles with motivation.
That thoroughness sometimes is a detriment. There are very long stretches that are wholly uninteresting. Fortunately it's very easy to skim those sections if you just want the CliffsNotes of history. Also fortunately, the author's personal experiences that he intersperses throughout the book are interesting and not just an anecdotal retelling of what he's done and experienced.
The book only lightly touches on the mechanics of fasting, with just quick mentions of how things like gluconeogenesis or autophagy work. This is a good thing because the topics are already covered ad nauseam in other fasting books (and online).
Bottom line, this is a great read for anyone interested in the history and benefits of fasting, especially with a focus on why and how it hasn't yet become mainstream. Although it doesn't spend much time on "how" to fast, it's still inspirational for anyone who struggles with motivation.
June 16, 2023
While I am really glad to have this reference book on the history of fasting, I was put off by the author’s tone (attempts at humor?) throughout the book. I am trying to think of the best way to describe the author and “whiny queen” comes closest - I wonder if his various illnesses over the years made him a misanthrope. A charitable way to think of the author is he was trying to be funny and failed. While going through history of fasting, he talks about his attempts to get rid himself of headaches and low energy and depression by visiting fasting clinics. He doesn’t like most of his fellow fasters he meets in these various facilities - the investment advisor is a “tax dodger”, the nurses were too curt, one faster didn’t entertain his attempts at conversation, others didn’t make eye contact enough. The facilities also get the same type of condescension. Oh also, there weren’t enough lower income people at buchinger clinic which also bothers him. A lot of arrogance about his veganism as well - spilled throughout the book. Would have been a much more useful and enlightening book from someone more empathetic. I skimmed through, as so much of the history is repetitive.
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